Level: Resort nearby
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Last updated on February 2, 2023
The small Velidhu atoll is a concentration of the more beautiful that the underwater Maldives has to offer. Around this island paradise bathed by crystal clear waters, you will snorkel surrounded by rays, sharks, and hundreds of reef fishes, over a profusion of corals.
Velidhu Island lies 50 miles/80km from Male, the capital island of Maldives. It takes 1 hour 30 minutes to get there by boat (or 20 minutes by seaplane) from Male International Airport.
Velidhu is one of Atoll Ari’s 26 “resort islands”, featuring the Velidhu Island Resort. If you are staying at the hotel, you will have direct access to the snorkeling spot. If you are not staying at the hotel, you can spend a day on the island by purchasing a day pass.
We recommend entering the water from the main beach, near the diving club. Opt for the southern part (to the left of the diving club when you are facing the sea), as you will be closer to the reef.
You can explore almost all of the atoll, but the most interesting areas, and the richest in underwater life, are on the outer side of the reef. To reach this area, swim towards the channel, making sure there are no boats in the vicinity, and reach the reef edge.
You will then be free to follow the reef edge, towards the east or west. The reef is covered with hard coral (finger, table coral, etc.) gently descending into the ocean depths. Shoals of powder blue tang, blueface angelfish and colorful parrotfish are amongst the most spectacular reef fish you might spot in Velidhu.
Swim over the sea bed and, here and there, you will encounter a triggerfish, a bluefin trevally or an oriental sweetlips. You may also be surprised to spot a blacktip reef shark.
Stingrays or spotted eagle rays are common on the reef drop-off, and if you are lucky, you may also encounter a manta ray.
The guests of the Velidhu Island Resort all have full board, and day visitors can enjoy the resort’s restaurants.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
